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Fiat  Lux:  A  Modern 
Mystery  Play  in  One  Act: 
by  Faith  Van  Valken- 
burgh  Vilas 


Samuel  French:  Publisher 

25   West    Forty-fifth    Street,    New   York 


LONDON 


Samuel  French:  Ltd. 

26  SOUTHAMPTON  STREET.  STRAND 
PRICE  THIRTY-FIVE  CENTS 


well.  9  males,  4  females.  .Flays  a  lull  eve 
This  four  act  drama  is  one  of  the  prize  ] 
contest  recently  held  by  the  Drama  Leagu 
e  of  securing  much  needed  Biblical  scenes  '. 
chools.  A  drama  of  the  Book  of  Esther, 
'erse,  and  adheres  closely  to  the  Bible  na: 
'ie  star  role  for  a  man,  but  the  characte 
1  the  King  are  almost  equally  good.  The  ' 
:tic  setting  of  the  Old  Testament  story  n 
ing  as  a  secular  production,  though  it  is  e 
hurch  or  Sunday  School  use.  Settings  as 
s  desired.  Price  35  cents. 


S  DAUGHTER.  Biblical  druna  in  1 
;vinger.  5  males,  6  females.  This  one-a 
•f  Esther  is  one  of  the  prize  plays  result) 
tntly  held  by  the  Drama  League  of  Americs 
;  much  needed  material  on  Biblical  themes  f> 
chools.  It  presents  the  familiar  story  fron 
tigle,  with  a  strong  element  of  suspense.  T 
•  drawn,  the  dialogue  poetic  without  being 
:sented  either  with  simple  settings  and  a  sm 
mt  play  with  elaborate  scenic  effects,  a  lai 
.  choruses  and  group  dances.  Price  35  cent 


VITY.  A  Chi:jtmas  festival  composed  enti 
the  Bible  story  of  the  Nativity,  arranged  i 
s  accompanied  by  carols  and  is  adapted  f< 
children  or  young  people,  to  be  given  as 
time  in  the  churches.  The  "Nativity"  w; 
rs  ago  in  the  "Youth's  Companion."  Sine 
been  so  large  a  demand  for  it  by  churche 
i  we  have  arranged  for  its  publication.  Pric 


FRENCH,  Publisher,  25  West  45t 


"FIAT 

(Let  There  Be  Light) 
A  MODERN  MYSTERY  PLAY 


IN  ONE  ACT 


By 
FAITH  VAN  VALKENBURGH  VILAS 


Copyright,   1920,   by  Faith  Van  Valkenburgh  Vilas 
Copyright,   1922,    by   Samuel   French 


'  Amateurs    may    produce    this    play   without   payment 
of   royalty.     All  other   rights  reserved. 


NEW  YORK 
SAMUEL  FRENCH 

Publisher 
25  WEST  45TH  STREET 


LONDON 
SAMUEL  FRENCH,  Ltd. 

26    Southampton    Street 
Strand 


GREENWICH  VILLAGE  THEATRE 

Wednesday  Afternoon,  Dec.  28th,  at  3  o'clock 

THE  INTER  THEATRE  ARTS,  INC. 

Presents 

"FIAT   LUX" 

A  Modern  Mystery  Play  by 

FAITH  VAN  VALKENBURGH  VILAS 

CAST 

AZARIAH James  W.  Wallace 

FATHER  AMBROSE Hobart  Upjohn 

NELLIE Elsie  Connor 

SOLDIER Watson  Lee 

THE  WAITS Ascension  Junior  Choir 

SCENE:  Living  room  of  AZARIAH'S  house  on 
Christmas  Eve. 

TIME  :  Christmas  Eve. 


FIAT  LUX" 

(Let  There  Be  Light) 


SCENE  :  The  interior  of  a  humble  one-room  cot 
tage  on  a  mountainside.  A  fire  burns  in 
open  fireplace  L.  Center  stage  a  practical 
door.  At  L.  c.  and  R.  c.,  windows  rimmed 
with  snoiv.  Another  door  L.  Deal  table 
and  chairs  R.  Oval  portrait  of  a  woman 
over  fireplace;  on  mantel  shelf  two  empty 
candle-sticks.  Teapot  on  low  settle  by  fire. 
At  rise  of  curtain  the  distant  chiming  of 
church  bells  is  heard  across  the  snow. 
AZARIAH,  old,  embittered  and  lonely,  enters 
from  inner  room  at  the  right,  placing  logs 
which  he  carries  on  the  fire. 

AZARIAH 

Fools,  fools,  fools! 

With  their  prayers  and  their  incense  and  their 

God. 

If  I  could 
I  would  silence  their  loud  mouthed  bells  forever. 

(He  goes  to  window  R.  and  looks  out) 
Candles   burning   at  all   the   windows   in   the 

valley. 

Two  windows  shall  be  dark  tonight —  - 
Mine — 

(Sound  of  chimes  again) 
Curse  those  bells !    Curse  them,  curse  them ! 

(He  sinks  into  chair  by  fire  and  sits  moodily, 

3 


4  FIAT    LUX 

his  hands  working  nervously.  A  step  is 
heard  crunching  through  the  snow.  Then 
a  knock,  stamping  of  snow  from  feet. 
AZARIAH  looks  up,  but  makes  no  move. 
Another  knock,  silence.) 

AMBROSE 

(From  without) 
It  is  Father  Ambrose. 
Will  you  not  let  me  in? 

AZARIAH 

(Still  seated) 
What  do  you  want  of  me? 

AMBROSE 

A  little  warmth, 

And  just  a  word  or  two. 

AZARIAH 

I  do  not  care  for  words  with  anyone  tonight. 
Nor  have  I  any  warmth  to  spare. 

AMBROSE 

Then  let  me  in  for  old  times'  sake. 

For  the  days  when  we  were  boys  together. 

AZARIAH 

(Going  slowly  to  door  and  opening  it) 
I  know  what  it  is  you  want  of  me. 


I 


s 


FIAT    LUX  5 

But  I  can  tell  you  frankly 

It  is  of  no  avail,  your  visit  here  tonight. 

No  words  of  yours  can  change  me, 

(Cynically) 
Father  Ambrose. 

(FATHER  AMBROSE  has  come  in  carrying  a 
lighted  lantern,  which  he  places  on  table. 
He  is  a  benign  man  in  the  habit  of  religion. 
He  lifts  his  hand  to  make  the  sign  of  the 
cross.) 

AMBROSE 
God  be  with  you. 

AZARIAH 

(Striking  down  lifted  hand) 
No. 

Do  not  call  for  the  blessing  of  your  God 
Upon  this  house. 

AMBROSE 

Though  you  deny  Him,  oh  my  brother, 
Still  is  He  near  you. 

AZARIAH 

Not  here, 
Nor  anywhere. 

(Solemnly) 
There  is  no  God. 

AMBROSE 

(Rubbing  his  cold  hands  before  the  fire  and 
drawing  up  a  chair.) 


6  FIAT   LUX 

Still  so  embittered. 

How  I  hoped  the  days 

As  they  lessened  your  first  sorrow 

Would  bring  a  healing  to  your  stricken  heart. 

Would  bring  back  to  your  eyes 

Whose  perfect  vision  the  tears  have  blurred 

The  power  once  more  to  see  the  beauty  of  His 

handiwork, 

To  feel  again  the  comfort  of  His  sympathy. 
Your  old   belief  is  only  stunned   by   sorrow, 

brother ; 
It  will  some  day  rewaken. 

AZARIAH 

(Stands  looking  cynically  at  AMBROSE) 
You,  a  man  of  reason, 
You  who  should  be  so  wise,  so  wise. 
Do  you  still  truly  believe  in  a  divinity? 
In  an  Almighty  Father? 

AMBROSE 
I  have  never  doubted. 

AZARIAH 

You  who  well  know  how  grimly 

Brother  slaughtered  brother, 

Staining  the  earth  with  innocent  young  blood. 

You  who  watched  our  boys  march  by  in  pride 

and  strength 
Never  to  return. 
You   who  have  heard   the   enemy's   shout   of 

triumph, 
And  seen  the  women  and  children  starved  to 

death 


FIAT   LUX  7 

Or  saved  for  a  fate  that  would  make  death  a 

benison, 

You  who  know  all  the  unspeakable  side  of  war, 
Can  you  still  think  there  is  a  Father  in  Heaven  ? 
Would  you  or  I 

(Lashing  himself  into  fury) 
I  say,  would  you  or  I 
Treat  our  own  children  so? 
If  there  is  a  God  in  Heaven 
His  heart  is  made  of  stone, 
But  I  prefer 
To  think  there  is  no  God. 

AMBROSE 
(Gently) 

I  know  how  deeply  you  have  suffered. 
I  know  that  one  by  one 
Your  dearest  have  been  taken. 
But  still  I  reckon  as  your  greatest  loss 
The  loss  of  your  belief. 

AZARIAH 

I  once  believed,  it's  true. 

I  paid  my  toll  in  prayers  and  in  devotion. 

On  every  Christmas  eve  the  candles  burned  as 

brightly 

In  my  poor  mountain  windows 
As  any  that  send  out  their  glow  from  valley 

homes  tonight. 

The  Christmas  waits  were  welcome, 
And    they    sang   to    open    hearts   before    my 

friendly  fire. 
But  now 
I  do  not  wish 
Ever  to  hear  their  hymns  of  praise  again. 


8  FIAT    LUX 

AMBROSE 

I  cannot  bring  you  back  your  dead, 

But  I  must  try  to  bring  you  back  your  faith. 

AZARIAH 

My  dead, 
My  dead. 

(Steps  close  to  fire-place,  leaning  his  head  on 
his  hands,  his  shoulders  convulsed.     Then 
looking  up) 
Oh  Mary, 

If  you  could  come  back  to  tell  me  it  is  true, 
That  God  exists  out  where  you  are. 
That  He  has  pity, 
That  He  has  compassion. 
But  no,  you  cannot  come  to  me. 
You  cannot  come. 

AMBROSE 

There  are  worse  things  than  death,  my  friend. 
AZARIAH 

Yes, 

Suffering, 

It  is  worse. 

The   little    daughter   Mary    left    behind    soon 

taught  me  that. 

Her  poor  frail  body,  warped  and  twisted. 
Her  face,  her  soul  of  angel  beauty. 
Patient  and  sweet  she  always  was, 
But  how  she  suffered, 
And  I  with  her. 


FIAT   LUX  9 

It  was  then  I  doubted  first. 

Not  after  Mary  left  perhaps, 

But  then,  then, 

What  Heavenly  Father, 

What  divine  love, 

Could  inflict  such  agony  upon  such  innocence? 

When  I  sat  here 

And  listened  to  her  little  crutch  tap-tapping  on 

the  floor, 
Each  tap  of  it 

Sank  deeper  in  my  aching  heart, 
And  I  would  long  to  cry  aloud, 
"There  is  no  heavenly  compassion." 
And  when  she  died 
I  spoke  the  bitter  words  at  last. 

AMBROSE 
I  know  how  you  have  suffered,  friend,  I  know. 

AZARIAH 

How  can  you  know 

Who  have  no  ties  of  blood? 

AMBROSE 

And  still  I  know 

And  long  to  ease  your  pain. 

AZARIAH 

No   son   of  yours   was   shot   down   in   all   his 

strength  and  beauty. 
You  cannot  know  the  grief  I  felt 


10  FIAT   LUX      . 

When   word   came   back   to   me   of   David' 
going. 

AMBROSE 

(Moved) 
He  was  a  good — brave  boy. 

AZARIAH 

Yes, 

He  was  brave. 

Among  the  first  to  answer. 

And  he  marched  forth  in  the  fresh  bloom  of 

manhood 

Only  to  fall  broken  and  crushed  and  bleeding. 
And  you  still  can  talk  to  me  of  a  divine  and 

pitying  father. 
It  is  all  lies — and  lies — and  lies. 

AMBROSE 

I   know  that   you   have   walked   the   path   of 

sorrow. 

Alone  you  stumble  down  the  darkened  way 
Bruising  your  tired  feet. 
I  offer  you  a  light,  my  friend ; 
I  feel  you  are  more  lonely  than  you  need  to  be. 
I  want  to  stand  beside  you. 
But  I  did  not  mean  tonight  to  reawaken  grief, 
To  speak  to  you  of  death, 
Rather  have  I  come  to  ask  help  for  the  living. 

AZARIAH 
What  help? 


FIAT   LUX  11 

AMBROSE 

It  is  a  simple  thing  I  ask. 

You  know  of  the  time  honored  custom  in  our 
valley, 

That  from  each  window  a  bright  star  of  candle 
light 

Shall  make  a  pathway  in  the  snow 

On  this  the  eve  of  the  Nativity. 

Will  you  not  light  your  windows? 

AZARIAH 

After  all  that  I  have  said 
You  still  can  ask  me  that? 

AMBROSE 

Your  little  cottage  stands  alone 

And  high  above  the  valley  with  its  twinkling 

lights. 
The  candles  in  your  windows  here  would  guide 

the  waits 

Who  pass  tonight  across  the  hill 
To  sing  in  the  new  settlement  upon  the  ridge. 
Surely  for  humanity 
If  not  for  any  dearer  sake, 
You'll  light  these  candles? 

(Draws  two  from  his  pocket) 
They  are  of  my  own  dipping. 

(AZARIAH   refuses  them,  shaking  his  head, 
and  AMBROSE  places  them  on  the  table,) 

AZARIAH 

(Pushing  them  from  him) 
No  light 


12  FIAT   LUX 

Shall  glow  from  out  my  house  tonight. 
AMBROSE 

Yours  will  be  the  only  darkened  panes  in  all 
the  countryside. 

AZARIAH 

Let  them  be  dark, 

For  in  my  soul 

There  is  not  any  light  at  all. 

AMBROSE 

The  waits  may  not  come  in  to  warm  tnem- 

selves? 

Yours  is  the  last  house 
And  the  wind  is  chill. 

AZARIAH 

Neither  the  waits, 

Nor  you, 

Nor  yet  your  great  Jehovah 

(Cue  for  carolling) 
Are  welcome  here  tonight. 
Unless 

AMBROSE 
Unless? 

AMBROSE 
Unless  He  sends  my  children  back 


FIAT   LUX  13 

To  tell  me  that  their  anguish 
Has  not  been  in  vain. 

AMBROSE 

Alas  the  dead  do  not  return. 

And  yet  to  the  Almighty  all  is  possible. 

(Voices  of  waits  are  heard  in  the  distance 

carolling.     They  grow  louder.     AMBROSE 

moves    to   door,   picking   up   his    lantern. 

AZARIAH   turns  his   back  and   looks  into 

fire.) 
Will  you  not  let  them  in? 

AZARIAH 
They  may  not  enter  here. 

AMBROSE 

My  heart  bleeds  for  you,  oh  my  brother. 

(He  opens  the  door,  stands  in  it  a  moment 

making  the  sign  of  the  cross.) 
May  God  bring  you  the  light. 

(Exit) 

AZARIAH 

(Turning  in  anger) 
There  is  no  God. 
And  there  shall  be  no  light. 

(Goes  to  the  fire,  tries  to  extinguish  it  with  his 
foot.  Voices  grow  fainter  as  the  waits  go 
over  the  mountain.  AZARIAH  sits  brood 
ing  by  the  darkened  hearth,  where  only  a 


14  FIAT    LUX 

feeble  glow  remains.  A  noise  is  heard  of 
someone  stumbling  on  the  door-step.  A 
hand  fumbles  with  the  latch,  and  a  gentle 
voice  speaks.) 

LAME  GIRL 
Oh  let  me  in, 
Please  let  me  in. 

(AZARIAH  listens,  gets  up,  peers  out  of  window 
C.  Voice  as  before,  repeats.  He  opens 
door  and  the  LAME  GIRL  enters,  moving 
with  pain  and  difficulty.  She  is  dressed  in 
a  light,  straight  gown  covered  by  a  mantel. 
She  glows  with  an  unearthly  light.  She 
sinks  into  chair  by  the  fire  and  speaks 
pantingly  in  a  sweet,  clear  voice.) 

LAME  GIRL 

I  am  so  lame. 

And  they  walked  oh !  so  fast. 

My  one  poor  crutch  caught  in  the  snow  and 
broke  to  bits, 

And  now  I  am  afraid  I  shall  not  find  my  friends 
again. 

And  I  so  long  to  join  in  their  glad  songs  to 
night. 

AZARIAH 

You  too  are  lame, 
Do  you  then  suffer  much? 

LAME  GIRL 

Oh  yes,  but  I  try  to  forget, 

And  tonight  I  quite  forgot  even  my  lameness. 


FIAT   LUX  15 

It  is  so  beautiful  and  serene  out  there  in  the 

open, 

God's  stars  seem  quite,  quite  close  at  hand. 
It  is  almost  as  light  as  day. 
It  was  only  here  among  your  dark  trees  that  I 

lost  my  way. 
It  is  all  hushed 
And  waiting, 
Just  as  it  must  have  been  on  that  night  so  long 

ago 

When  the  kings 
Journeyed  to  the  manger. 

AZARIAH 

You  are  lame  and  you  suffer  cruelly, 
Even  as  my  little  daughter  suffered, 
But  still  you  think  there  is  a  God? 

LAME  GIRL 

It  is  because  I  suffer 
That  I  know  there  is  a  God. 

AZARIAH 
How  can  that  be? 

LAME  GIRL 

I  think  a  person  who  has  never  suffered 

Has  not  truly  lived. 

It  is  through  suffering  that  we  learn  of  the 

most  lovely  things  in  life. 
We  learn  the  warmth  of  pity, 
The  touch  of  tender  ministering  fingers, 


16  FIAT   LUX 

And  above  all, 

We  learn  of  selflessness. 

AZARIAH 

To  suffer 

Is  to  die  a  thousand  deaths. 

LAME  GIRL 

Only  to  be  born  anew  each  time. 
AZARIAH 

Suffering  mars  and  sears, 

It  draws  deep  furrows  on  the  face. 

LAME  GIRL 

But  how  beautiful  and  how  strong  it  is, 
The  face  that  has  accepted  sorrow  bravely. 
A  face  unlined 
Is  like  a  blank  unwritten  page. 

AZARIAH 

You  can  believe  then 
In  a  God 

Who  wilfully  inflicts  such  suffering  upon  the 
innocent? 

LAME  GIRL 

God  our  Father  sends  us  suffering  it  is  true, 
Suffering  is  our  teacher. 

If  you  had  a  little  child  would  you  not  wish  it 
wise? 


FIAT   LUX  17 

Though  the  task  was  difficult  the  teacher  set, 
You  would  look  only  to  the  future, 
To  the  time  when,  the  schooling  over, 
Your  child  would  come  into  its  own  through 

knowledge. 

So  it  is  with  our  Father  in  Heaven. 
He  makes  our  souls  grow  wise  and  strong 
Through  suffering — 
Wise  and  strong, 
And  oh  so  full  of  understanding  pity. 

AZARIAH 

He  makes  our  souls  grow  strong  through  suffer 
ing. 
Oh  if  I  only  dared  believe  it. 

LAME  GIRL 

Ah  but  you  must  believe. 

For  it  is  true, 

My  life  has  proven  it. 

(She  rises,  holding  onto  the  chair) 
But  now  that  I  am  rested  I  must  go. 

(Looks  out  through  window) 
How  shall  I  find  my  way? 
Your  trees  are  shadowy, 
I  cannot  see  the  path. 

( AZARIAH  sits  dazed  thinking  of  what  she 
has  said.    She  reaches  her  arms  out  to  him 
with  a  gesture  of  affection,  which  he  does 
not  see.    Then  noticing  the  candles  on  the 
table  and  the  candle-sticks  on  the  mantle) 
May  I  not  light  this  candle 
And  put  it  in  the  window  by  the  door? 
(She  does  so) 


iS  FIAT   LUX 

Now  I  can  see  the  path  quite  well 

And  it  will  guide  me  on  my  way  into  the  open. 

AZARIAH 

(Rousing  and  going  to  her) 

You  are  so  like  my  little  girl, 

In  stature  and  in  voice, 

Your  lameness  is  so  like, 

It  makes  a  bond  between  us. 

You  say  you  broke  your  crutch ; 

Wait.  (He  goes  to  the  fireside  and  takes  a 
crutch  lovingly  in  his  arms,  speaking  with 
great  emotion.  Hands  it  to  her.  She  with 
draws  a  bit  from  him.  She  is  super 
natural,  but  he  does  not  realize  it) 

Here  take  this, 

It  was  my  little  daughter's  crutch. 

If  you  can  use  it  you  are  welcome. 

LAME  GIRL 

(Taking  crutch  and  putting  it  under  her  arm) 
It  is  just  right. 
Oh  now  how  quickly  I  shall  find  my  friends 

again. 
God  bless  you,  and  good-night. 

(Exit) 

(  AZARIAH  stands  at  the  open  door  watching  her, 
closes  the  door,  goes  to  the  window.  Shad 
ing  his  eyes  from  the  candle,  he  peers  out 
into  the  night.  Then  sloivly  comes  back  to 
the  fire  and  sits.) 

AZARIAH 
He  makes  our  souls  grow  strong 


"FIAT  Lux" 


See  page  18 


FIAT   LUX  19 

Through  suffering. 

(One  approaches  whistling  a  tune,  "Long, 
Long    Trail,"    gaily,    steps    on   porch;    a 
knock  is  heard) 
Well. 

(Pause;  another  knock) 
What  is  it? 

SOLDIER 

(From  without) 
A  bit  of  warmth  and  a  light. 

AZARIAH 

(Going  slowly  to  door  and  opening  it) 
Come  in. 

SOLDIER 

(Enters  stamping  and  shaking  snow  from  his 
uniform.      There  is  an  ominous   but   old 
stain  over  his  left  breast) 
I'm  on  my  way  to  join  the  carolling. 
I've  not  been  back 
Since — 
Since  the  war. 

I  am  not  quite  as  strong  as  I  had  hoped. 
See  (pointing  to  wound)  this  is  my  difficulty. 
I  lost  my  way  out  there  among  your  trees, 
And  stumbled, 

And  my  croix-de-guerre  fell  in  the  deep  snow. 
If  I  may  catch  my  breath  and  have  a  light 
No  doubt  I  shall  soon  find  it 
And  go  on  across  the  hill. 

(Warming  his  hands  before  fire) 
I  am  so  loath  to  miss  the  carolling  tonight. 

AZARIAH 

You  wish  to  join  the  carolling, 
You  who  have  come  from  war? 


20  FIAT   LUX 

SOLDIER 

That's  just  the  reason  why 

I  long  to  sing  tonight. 

I  learned  the  dear  companionship  of  song 

Out  there. 

AZARIAH 
Do  you  believe  in  God? 

SOLDIER 
Of  course. 

AZARIAH 

You  can  believe? 

You  whose  own  eyes  have  seen  the  horrors 

And  the  wreck  of  war  ? 

You  who  have  seen  the  men  about  you  slain 

And  all  for  nothing? 

SOLDIER 

Oh  don't  say  that  my  friend. 
It  was  not  all  for  nothing. 

AZARIAH 

Our  young  men  slain  by  thousands, 
And  no  victory. 


Well,  after  all,  the  victory  meant  little. 
What  did  mean  much 


FIAT   LUX  21 

Was  how  each  one  faced  death. 

I  used  to  think  that  God  was  nearer  us 

Out  on  the  battlefield 

Than  in  our  quiet  church  at  home. 

AZARIAH 

How  can  He  be 

Where  brother  slaughters  brother, 

Where   mothers'    sons   are   slain   by   mothers' 

sons? 
Where  enemies  can  triumph? 

SOLDIER 

We  learn  out  there  our  Heavenly  Father  has 

no  enemies, 

Nor  does  He  ever  side  with  anyone. 
He  is  a  friend  of  all, 
The  humble  and  the  mighty, 
And  in  the  midst  of  battle  He  is  there  to  help 

us  meet  death  bravely. 
It  counts  with  Him,  oh !  not  at  all, 
When  or  how  young  we  die ; 
Whether  the  victor  or  the  vanquished. 
But  it  does  count  with  Him 
How  we  meet  death. 
And  He  is  there  beside  us 
To  help  us  meet  it  bravely. 
With  head  erect — 
Singing — 
We  march  into  the  Valley  of  Shadows. 

AZARIAH 
He  has  no  enemies,  you  say? 


±  FIAT   LUX 

SOLDIER 

None. 

We  are  all  His  children. 

Sometimes  we  too  forgot  that  we  had  enemies. 
Why  I  remember  when  this  wound  was  new 
And  I  had  fallen  on  the  battlefield, 
Beside  me  lay  a  soldier — 
You  would  perhaps  have  called  him  enemy- 
Wounded  he  was, 
A  mortal  wound  I  think. 
He  offered  me  his  flask  with  its  last  drop  of 

water. 
"Drink  it,"  he  whispered,  "for  I  may  live  until 

they  come, 

"But  you  alas  are  dying." 
But  let  us  talk  no  more  of  war, 
For  I  forget  that  time  is  passing, 
And  I  will  be  too  late  to  lift  my  voice  in  praise 

tonight. 

(Goes  towards  lighted  candle) 
May  I  not  put  this  candle  in  the  other  window  ? 

AZARIAH 

No,  do  not  touch  it. 

It  is  to  guide  a  lame  girl. 

Take  this  one. 

(He  takes  the  candle  and  places  it  in  the 

candle-stick  on  mantel  and  lights  it;  hands 

it  to  SOLDIER  who  stands  with  it  in  his 

'    hands  so  that  the  light  falls  across  his  face 

as  he  speaks.) 

SOLDIER 

God  bless  you  friend, 

And  bear  this  thing  in  mind : 


"FIAT  Lux" 


See  page  22 


FIAT    LUX  23 

God  cares  not  when  we  go  or  how 
If  we  go  bravely. 

(Puts  candle  in  the  other  window,  opens  the 

door) 
Thank  you,  and  good-night. 

(Exit) 

AZARIAH 

Good-night. 

(Follows  to  the  door,  reaches  out  his  hand  to 
take  SOLDIER'S  hands,  but  latter  withdraws 
from  contact;  he  is  supernatural.  AZARIAH 
stands  leaning  against  open  door.) 

God  cares  not  when  we  go  nor  how 

If  we  go  bravely. 

Oh  he  was  brave,  my  David. 

I  know  that  he  went — 

Singing. 

SOLDIER 

(Calls  from  distance) 
I've  found  the  cross,  thank  you, 
And  once  more,  good-night. 

AZARIAH 

Good-night. 

(Walks  sloivly  towards  the  fire) 
Strange,  strange, 

I  feel  a  sudden  glow  within  my  heart. 
My  lighted  windows  first 
And  now  my  heart's  alight. 

(Carolling  is  heard  in  the  distance.  It  comes 
nearer.  AZARIAH  finally  hears  it,  jumps  to 
his  feet,  puts  on  another  log  at  the  fire.) 


24  FIAT   LUX 

More  light. 

More  light  and  warmth ! 

(Goes  to  door,  throws  it  open  wide  and  calls) 

Come  in, 

Come  in  to  light  and  warmth. 

(AMBROSE  and  the  WAITS  enter,  AMBROSE 
looking  curiously  at  the  changed  AZARIAH. 
The  WAITS  gather  about  the  fire  warming 
their  hands.  AZARIAH  looks  at  WAITS  and 
goes  to  door  and  looks  out.  Turning) 

AZARIAH 

Where  are  the  little  lame  girl  and  the  soldier? 
AMBROSE 

What  lame  girl  and  what  soldier? 
We  know  of  no  such  persons. 

AZARIAH 

But  surely  you  have  met  the  little  lame  girl, 

So  like  my  Nellie? 

You  all  remember  Nellie? 

(WAITS  nod  their  heads) 
She  went  up  the  path  some  time  ago, 
And  just  now,  not  quite  five  minutes  since, 
The  soldier — not  unlike  my  David — 
Went  whistling  out  to  meet  you. 
Surely,  surely  you  have  seen  them  both, 
There  is  but  one  path  up  the  mountain  side? 


WAITS 


No,  no, 

We  have  seen  no  one. 


FIAT   LUX  25 

AMBROSE 

You  must  have  dreamed  it,  brother. 
AZARIAH 

No,  do  not  say  that ; 

No  it  was  no  dream. 

The  little  girl  was  lame, 

I  gave  her  Nellie's  crutch. 

Go,  follow  the  small  crutch  marks  in  the  snow. 

They  are  so  tiny, 

But  they  sink  almost  as  deep  in  the  white  snow 

As  in  a  father's  heart. 

(Two  or  three  WAITS  go  out) 
(AZARIAH  grasps  AMBROSE  by  the  arm) 

I  did  not  dream, 

And  you  are  sure  that  you  passed  no  one? 

Think,  oh  think  what  this  would  mean  to  me. 

The  little  lame  girl  and  the  boy  so  like  my 
David. 

AMBROSE 

(Looking  at  him  and  much  moved) 
I  understand, 
I  understand, 

(Making  the  sign  of  the  cross) 
God  has  been  with  you  on  this  holy  night. 

WAITS 

(Returning) 

There  are  no  crutch  marks  in  the  snow, 
And  we  have  circled  all  about  the  house. 


26  FIAT   LUX 

AZARIAH 

No  marks, 

No  marks? 

Oh  God,  let  it  be  true ! 

(He  looks  to  the  corner  where  the  crutch 
stood.) 

There  is  no  crutch;  it's  gone. 

See,  see,  the  crutch  is  gone. 

It  was  no  dream. 

David,  Nellie, 

Oh  God  be  thanked, 

This  place  is  holy  ground. 

(Sinks  on  his  knees.  AMBROSE  beckons  the 
WAITS  to  the  door  and  they  tip-toe  out, 
AMBROSE  last,  making  the  sign  of  the  cross. 
As  he  closes  the  door  the  carolling  bursts 
forth  in  a  joyous  song,  "Come  All  Ye  Faith 
ful."  Slowly  AZARIAH  rises  from  his  knees, 
goes  to  the  door,  opens  it,  and  stands  listen 
ing  as  the  carolling  dies  away  in  the  dis 
tance.) 

(CURTAIN) 


WHY  THE  CHIMES  RANG/A  play  in  one  a 
McFadden.  Adapted  from  the  story  of  the  same  i 
Alden.  Especially  recommended  as  a  Christmas  pi 
teaches  the  story  of  the  Christ  child,  rather  than 
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Christian  denomination  by  slight  changes  of  costui 
It  offers  a  rare  opportunity  for  exquisite  church  mu 
given  in  the  barest  room,  against  a  background  of  C 
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sional  theatre,  yet  both  productions  will  thrill  the 
touch  the  heart.  It  teaches  the  beauty  of  a  charity 
and  service  as  well  as  gold.  Price,  35  cents. 

THE  CHRISTMAS  STORY,  dramatized  by  V 
wpld.  This  is  the  Bible  story  of  the  birth  of  the  C 
Bible  language  as  far  as  possible.  It  lends  itself 
The  hill  country  of  Judea,  the  throne-room  of  Her 
place  in  Bethlehem  and  the  stable  with  the  mang 
produced  in  the  simplest  manner  on  a  platform,  < 
Oriental  setting  and  accessories  which  the  imaginat 
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and  children,  can  be  used.  Makes  an  admirable  C 
tainment  and  is  well  adapted  for  the  use  of  churcl 
Price,  35  cents. 

THE  NIGHT  BEFORE  CHRISTMAS.  A  C 

three  short  acts  by  William  Patterson  Taylor.  Th 
FORE  CHRISTMAS  is  a  little  play  in  three  acts 
produced  well  within  an  hour.  The  first  act  present 
and  hurried  night  before  Christmas  preparation  acth 
•workshop  at  the  North  Pole.  The  second  act  is 
Christmas  home  bed-chamber  incident,  involving  the 
tipn  resulting  from  a  childish  difference  between  two 
difference — "made  up"  true — introduces,  also,  the  wo< 
of  Santa's  calamitous  displeasure.  (In  this  and  tl 
(Children's  classic,  "The  Night  Before  Christmas," 
In  the  third  act  "All's  well  that  ends  well."  A  quart 
music.  This  little  play  has  grown  during  years  of  1 
author  and  others.  Its  unbroken  success  in  stirring 
the  children  (and  the  "grown-ups,"  too — whom,  a 
aimed  to  reach)  was  urged  as  a  reason  for  its  public; 
recommended  as  an  entertainment  for  the  holiday  ee< 
cents. 

A  DREAM  ON  CHRISTMAS  EVE.  A  very 

tainment  for  little  folks,  by  Ina  Home.  Time  about 
but  it  can  be  lengthened  to  any  duration  by  the  furt! 
of  each  child's  specialty.  The  costumes  are  aocordi 
acter  represented  and  are  easily  made.  The  story  is 
little  girl  on  Christmas  eve,  in  which  she  views  1 
which  she  is  to  receive  on  the  morrow.  Santa  Cl 
while  filling  the  stocking  tells  a  story  of  the  little  i 
he  gives  his  presents.  Then  the  Christmas  pudding  • 
how  she  was  made.  Then  the  pumpkin  pie,  the  holl; 
cream,  crackers,  candy,  etc.,  enter  and  tell  their  sto 
is  easy  to  give  and  can  be  held  in  the  class  room: 
or  a  home.  Price,  30  cents. 

THK  TOY  SHOP.  A  new  and  original  entertainmc 
by  F.  S.  Isham  and  Edward  WeitzeT,  with  some  new 
music.  No  special  number  required.  Particularly  ad 
or  Sunday-school  entertainments.  One  of  the  best  ent 
children  published.  Price  30  cents. 


SAMUEL  FRENCH,  Publisher,  25  West 


cents. 


is 


Price,  30  cents. 


boyeo     ec          andoffers  bidf  «     remain 
-<ured      The  play  ends  with  much  JOT  (or  all  three 


cents. 


SAMUEL  FRENCH,   Publisher,   25  West  45th   Street 


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